A SCHEME to transform rundown terraces into trendy homes will turn inner-city regeneration on its head, it was revealed today.

A development expert plans to introduce large glass walls, upstairs living areas and a kitchen in the loft to rows of Victorian houses in Salford.

Nearly 400 houses, destined to be bulldozed, will be renovated by a team led by Tom Bloxham, whose Urban Splash company has given new life to large swathes of Manchester. A further 100 could be transformed in a later phase.

If the idea is successful it is expected to be copied in other blighted communities across the north west. Grim backyards will be ripped up and rear kitchens demolished. The shells of the terraced houses will then be given a complete facelift.

Large open plan living rooms will be upstairs with gallery kitchens and back views of private but communal gardens. Downstairs there will be a bedroom and bathroom.

Chimney Pot park

Dark back alleys and outbuildings which have become havens for criminals will be replaced with bright landscaped spaces. About é500,000 is to be spent on improving Chimney Pot Park next to the homes.

It is estimated the project would cost about é20m in the first phase. One-bedroom homes will sell at about é30,000. Two and three-bed properties will also be created.

The terraces of Langworthy have become notorious for crime and deprivation and their problems have been highlighted by a series of politicians including Jack Straw during a visit in 1998 when he was Home Secretary.

The houses were among more than 500 earmarked for demolition after Salford Council decided to clear the area. All but 50 are empty after compulsory purchase orders were issued.

But in a radical U-turn the council has said 400 near Langworthy Road will be sold at a knock-down price to Urban Splash.

Mews

Mr Bloxham said: "We believe Langworthy is an area with great potential. Some people believe there is no demand for this type of Victorian terrace, but we see the same type of house selling in Didsbury and London. They call this type of house a mews and they are highly sought after.

"Urban Splash believes that the Langworthy terraces can provide affordable, well-designed contemporary accommodation for local residents wanting to live in Langworthy, purchasers priced out of Manchester city centre and first-time buyers.

"Why knock these amazing buildings down when they can be refurbished using some great modern architecture?

"Langworthy was once a desirable area for a cross section of the community and we are confident we can create great, modern, affordable homes.

"Different areas have different needs. We think this scheme will work here, but we do not have all the answers."

Radical

Salford Council leader John Merry said: "These are radical proposals to breathe new life into properties which had declined in recent years. We believe they open up new horizons for Langworthy, which retains a vibrant community. It is an imaginative way of dealing with unpopular terraced property which could be emulated throughout the north west.

"The houses can't stay as they are. There's no market for them. This is a lifeline for the area. If this takes off properties around it will increase in value."

The multi-million pound scheme will be partly funded by English Partnerships.

Gerry Stone, chair of Seedley and Langworthy Initiative, which represents local residents said: "Although regeneration is an extremely difficult process for local people to go through this is a positive step forward for the area and we are beginning to see the regeneration coming together."

The streets that will be developed are Alder Street, Ash Street, Field Street, Jubilee Street, Laburnum Street, Reservoir Street and Wall Street. A church and two primary schools are also being planned for Langworthy Road .

Exciting

Salford MP Hazel Blears said: "This is an exciting and positive opportunity for Seedley and Langworthy. Urban Splash's innovative scheme could help to revitalise the whole area."

It is expected that work will start on site in 2005 and the first homes could be ready the following year.

Salford City Council spokesman Ian Andrew said: "We believe this a unique way of tackling the blight caused by empty terraced properties. This a problem for many local authorities in the north west and Salford is setting an example which others could follow."

Mike Shields, Northwest Development Agency chief executive, said: "This project is an exciting step forward for Salford that will breathe new life into the Langworthy area.

"The development will tackle the problems of dereliction in an innovative and community-led manner, providing a much enhanced environment. This has the potential to make a real contribution to the regeneration of Salford, creating a sense of place and increasing the area's reputation as a realistic place to invest."